Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akyem North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has justified the increment in passport fees.
Appiah-Kubi argues that passport acquisition has shifted from a necessity to a discretionary choice, asserting that it is no longer a primary means of identification but rather an option.
He highlighted the Ghana Card as the primary identification document, rendering passports necessary only for travel purposes.
“You and I know that with Ghana card as identification card, one will only need passport if he or she wants to travel. So why should someone who does not need passport for anything be made to pay?” he quizzed.
Speaking on Adom TV’s Big Agenda, Appiah-Kubi emphasized the redundancy of passports for individuals who do not require them for travel, questioning the rationale behind charging them.
His remarks follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integrations’ recent increase in passport fees, effective April 1, 2024. The adjustment includes a rise in fees for both 32-page and 48-page booklets.
While facing backlash, Appiah-Kubi rationalizes the fee hike by explaining that prior to the adjustment, passport printing costs were absorbed significantly by the government. He underscores that this practice has been ongoing since 2016.
Moreover, Appiah-Kubi anticipates that the increased fees will facilitate revenue generation for the ministry, enabling the establishment of more district offices. This expansion aims to alleviate the inconvenience faced by individuals traveling long distances to obtain passports.
He further elaborates on the challenges with passport issuance, citing delays caused by shortages of printing materials.
Mr Appiah-Kubi expressed optimism that the fee increment will address these issues by providing the government with the necessary resources to procure additional printing materials.